Kilen Phayong update... ready to tour all over Thailand.
Just over a month remains.
Thailand’s professional football leagues, both Thai League 1 and Thai League 2, are about to start the 2026/27 season.
At present, most local football fans are focused on the activity in the player transfer market.
They are watching which new players each club will bring in to strengthen their squads or who they will let go.
A major recent deal, made just this past Monday, was the decision of a player to join the Thai League for the first time.
Jude Sunthapsup-Bell, a 22-year-old Thai-English striker and Thailand national team player.
He had just ended his contract with Grimsby Town, a League Two club in England, at the end of last season.
Although there may have been offers from European teams (uncertain) and several big Thai League clubs,
in the end, Jude Bell chose to join “Singh Jaotah” Port FC on a four-year contract, as many expected, including myself.
Jude has a special connection with "Nayok Paeng" Nualphan Lamsam.
He chose to play for the Thailand national team largely due to the invitation from the iron lady of the Football Association of Thailand.
She even personally flew to England to recruit him.
Joining this top club in Klong Toey is currently the best choice for the Thai-English striker.
Especially with the chance to play in major tournaments like the AFC Champions League Elite.
He is also able to stay in Thailand to prepare for representing the War Elephants at the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in January 2027.
We will have to see how well Jude Bell adapts to the Thai League and establishes himself at Port FC.
Hopefully, he won’t fail to perform like Benjamin Davis, who once had a nightmare at PAT Stadium.
Another hot topic this week is the future of “Jao Seefour” Khakhana Kamyok, a Thai national team attacker.
He recently exploded with outstanding form, scoring two goals to lead the War Elephants to a 5-0 thrashing of Laos in Vientiane in the opening match of the 2026 ASEAN Cup last Saturday.
With such hot form, many believe Seefour shouldn’t be playing in the lower division with Muangthong United.
It is expected that more than two top-tier league clubs are eagerly eyeing him to join their squads.
These include BG Pathum, Bangkok United, Port FC, and Buriram United.
I had the chance to meet "Pee Pe" Ronarit Suewaja, director of Muangthong United, in person.
This was at the funeral of "Pee Rian" Kritnawaphan Wachirabanklang, the club’s public relations advisor, in Kanchanaburi Province.
I took the opportunity to ask for updates on the club and Khakhana's situation.
Big Pe did not clearly say whether Seefour would transfer or not.
He only said that Khakhana still has several years left on his contract with Muangthong.
If other teams want him, they must negotiate a transfer fee that is fair.
The price to sell Seefour would not be lower than what was paid for "Aum" Theerathon Bunmathan when he moved to the J-League club Vissel Kobe.
Or "Ter" Veerathep Pomphan, who became a key player for True Bangkok United.
The price range is between 18-20 million baht, which is considered appropriate for Khakhana’s current skill level and national team status.
Regarding readiness for the new Thai League 2 season, Big Pe confirmed that Muangthong is fully prepared and committed.
Their sole goal is to return to Thai League 1, the top division, within one season.
Although this is not an easy task since other competing teams are also strong.
However, he remains confident in the potential of the Kilen Phayong players under Brazilian coach Jose Alves Borges.
The team will focus on promoting young rising stars mixed with key Thai and foreign players.
They are fortunate to have “Teh” Chareonsak Wongkorn to ignite their attack.
Teh’s determination to return to fight at Thunderdome Stadium is highly commendable.
He did not prioritize salary because he understands the club’s current situation well.
He wants to help the team get promoted and find joy in playing football again.
Chareonsak admitted that during his first stint with Kilen Phayong, he performed the best football of his life and was very happy at Thunderdome.
In summary, whatever news comes from Muangthong,
Big Pe Ronarit personally assured me,
that all of us, the Kilen Phayong family, are ready to tour all over Thailand,
fully committed and giving our best in the second-tier league!
- B Bangpakong -